new arreyeval [open!]

[hellojon]

Who: Elias Bouchard & OPEN!
When: mid-April
Where: ADI and around
Summary: getting settled & visiting a graveyard
Warnings: will edit if needed

around ADI
Elias finds himself fitting right into Administration. There's a part of him that wants to go into Research, of course. That desire to learn, to know, to figure out and explore whatever is going on still lives strong in his mind. But for the moment, Administration fits. After all, the more he learns about this place behind the scenes, the more information he has and he can use to shift things to go his way.

It is very easy to doctor a paper trail if you work in the department involved in paper trails to begin with.

The problem with working in administration is that Elias needs to do busy work. And with people vanishing on a daily basis (something which he tried to Know the cause of and was very put out that the only thing he received in return was a nosebleed), the new guy gets stuck with the busy work: roll call.

So he approaches people, he'll ask, "Pardon me. You're someone from a different world, correct?"

50 steps
Well. This is interesting.

Having seen his demise once already (stabbed, beaten bloody at the hands of the Archivist of all people), Elias lingers around the graveyard anyway. Curiosity wins out: how does this place count a death? Would he see how the body of Jonah Magnus died? What about possible deaths? After all, if he knows about this death, why would he keep things the same and let it come to pass?

That curiosity is driving him. So he lingers in the graveyard, to the point that he's still there when they're rounding up people to leave, walking around as he looks for those steps again.

wildcard
He's around ADI, so hit me up with anything!

Comments

(Oh boy Elias Bouchard nothing will go wrong x2)

[rainestorms]

Raine wasn't apart of Administration. Their job in research that they'd just started didn't do any prying into things they'd like to be looking into. Namely, whatever weird things were going on internally at the ADI. It didn't surprise Raine at all, honestly. the secret organisation that harbours a bunch of inter-dimensional beings that they treat like criminals because they're connected to fear monsters is an alarming thing.

But Raine knew there were gaps in the truth, and they didn't like how their less humanoid looking friends were treated. Everything to Raine felt a bit too close to the Coven System for comfort, so they began to snoop around.

Today they'd wandered into the Administration office. Nobody had seemed to take notice of them quite yet, so they-

It took a second for Raine to realise the human stranger was in fact talking to them. Did they blend in too well this time somehow? Why would somebody ask if they're from another world? They weren't using any magic. Still, they'd made (very awkward) eye contact with him, so it was best to say something.

"Uhhh, me?" Raine responded, and pointed to themself. "I'm. Um. No..?"

They gave him an awkward grin as they cringed at themself. No??? Really??? It was incredibly obvious that it was a lie.

he's just a normal man! just an innocent man!

[hellojon]

It is incredibly obvious. Elias can't help but give Raine a little chuckle as he points out, "You're not in trouble. We've simply had a few disappearances lately and I've been tasked to gather intel about those who have left and verify ADI's roster of people who have been brought in from different worlds."

Elias looks down at a clipboard, before looking back at Raine. "Raine Whispers, correct?"

Notably, nowhere in this conversation has Elias said that he is one of those people who been brought in from different worlds.

this is literally just your average guy.

[rainestorms]

Raine uneasily shifted the strap of their violin case around their chest. Something about the fact that he knew their name immediately felt strange. They understood they didn't look normal by human standards; having pointy ears and naturally green hair would definitely negate ever fitting in without a glamor. But the two had never met before, and Raine had doubts that their name was anywhere close to the top of the list.

They tried to glance at the clipboard to see what exactly was on it, and tried not to look too obvious.

"Wouldn't it be faster to do it all at once? There are.. a lot of people from different worlds here," They feigned curiosity, and dodged the question of their name for the time being. "And I've never seen you around before. Are you new?"

[hellojon]

The clipboard...actually is what Elias says it is. A list of names and assigned rooms. One of the names is crossed through and a few more of them have checkmarks beside them.

"It would most certainly be faster to do it all at once. But I'm sure you've worked in an office before—or, at least a job with a hierarchical sort of structure. You always sent the grunt work to the new recruit, just to see how well they can do and to...test their capabilities."

He offers a hand to Raine to shake, giving them a small nod in the process. "Elias Bouchard. And yes, I am new."

A is for 'Around ADI'

[assays]

Peggy doesn't believe she will ever feel at ease in this place. It has barely been a month since she arrived and she can't quite explain her experiences. But she wasn't the kind of person that gave up easily so while she was here, her determination to look out for others wasn't going to go away.

Working in administration is something that didn't appeal to her. For so long, her colleagues back home thought that was all Peggy was good for. A secretary, not an agent. Even with that in mind, Peggy hasn't fully decided what kind of job role to fall into - this was especially hard when she didn't exactly trust the people in charge.

The sound of a familiar accent rouses Peggy out of her thoughts as she looks up at Elias, blinking at him for a moment.

"Yes, I am." She replies in an equally polite tone before offering him a slight smile. "I was led to believe that we were all from a different world. Why do you ask?"

Re: A is for 'Around ADI'

[hellojon]

Elias gives Peggy a smile and a little nod. Everything about him feels like someone who's fit in perfectly well with Administration: this is a man designed for middle management.

"Routine paperwork, nothing more." There's a clipboard in one hand. He holds it to himself before offering his free hand for Peggy to shake.

"They give these sorts of things to the new hires, after all. Elias Bouchard—pleasure to meet you."

[assays]

She has come across people like him before. Those who had a talent for being efficient and organised. Ticking off their clipboards and carrying a lot more paperwork than they really should be. Perhaps if her life hadn’t gone the way it did, she may have found herself in such a role.

"Peggy Carter. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Bouchard." Peggy accepts the offered hand with a smile and gives it a firm, polite shake. "I have yet to find myself a position in this place. I arrived last month."

[hellojon]

"Well, we'd always welcome another face in Administration, Ms. Carter." Elias has been in the position, been with ADI less than a week and yet he's acting like he's been working here forever. Admittedly, he did have a bit of a leg up compared to others. But Elias does not want to look like he doesn't know what he's doing or look like he's new here.

As far as he's concerned? He has everything under control.

"If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them for you."

2 steps forward, 50 steps back

[gammasystem]

Bruce Banner, when you take away the reputation usually associated with him, tends to be a very unassuming figure. Even in the context back home his face has a remarkable tendency to go unrecognized, unnoticed, disregarded for its unimportant nature. It was equal parts a blessing and a curse really.

Though in this moment he finds it something more of a blessing, the lack of attention doesn't carry the same weight or desperate need as it did at home. Graveyards may not be most people's first picks to hang around but death is a familiar friend and he can find some comfort in reflecting on how it may very well be permanent here. Besides, an even further lack of prying types makes it almost relaxing.

He did notice a pair here, though. Someone who didn't seem to be here on mourning terms or anything of the sort. They were looking for something, he figured that much. Observing from afar before he'd steadily make his way over. They were quite quiet when necessary, and he didn't aim to draw attention to himself until he was in a comfortable speaking distance.

"Lost something?" Bruce finally said with a slight clearing of his throat.

Re: 2 steps forward, 50 steps back

[hellojon]

Bruce manages to catch him off guard. Elias lets out a little noise of acknowledgement as he turns around to give the man a small nod of acknowledgement.

"Not really. I'm simply...curious." There's a pause before he asks, "I assume you've heard the rumors about the staircase here?"

[gammasystem]

He stayed that distance away until Elias gave him the acknowledgement before he moved up just a bit closer. His eyes too moving around their surroundings slowly, taking it in.

“I’ve heard some bits and pieces, not much though.” He responded as he grimaced a bit at the thought, “It doesn’t seem like the kind of thing people should be seeking out if I’m gonna be honest. What has you curious enough to go looking?”

[hellojon]

"Simply the mechanics of the matter." Elias walks towards Bruce, tone casual, perfectly fine making idle conversation as he continues talking.

"The stairs are supposed to show us the moment of our death. But considering the wide array of people brought in by ADI, it wouldn't surprise me if some have already died. And even then, surely knowing about the moment of our death would end up changing the actual death itself."

He's talking about these things like they're perfectly normal, the sort of thing that always happens. Talking about the metaphysical nature of this Entity nonsense? Must be Tuesday.

Around ADI

[graveyounglady]

Mercy's just stepping out of the canteen when the stranger politely accosts her. She offers him a friendly smile. "Aye, sir! Mercy Graves, servant of Pelor and working in the medical bay here. You need something specific-like?"

She likes his suit and his accent reminds her of Jon, Martin, and Caitlyn. Maybe he's from the same place as one of them?

Re: Around ADI

[hellojon]

"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Graves," he nods. "As for your question, there is one thing. I'm afraid I've never actually been to the medical bay- still sorting this place out, so to speak. Would you mind showing me where it is?"

[graveyounglady]

"Of course! I was just heading back there after grabbing some vittles." She gestures for him to follow and heads toward the elevators. "It's in the lower levels. Hope you don't have need of it any time soon, but always good to know where it is. Who might you be? I try to make it my business to know all the new names who come along."

[hellojon]

"Elias Bouchard," he nods. "I've been here long enough to figure my way around the place, but short enough that I still have questions."

He chuckles before pointing out, "Though yes, I also hope I won't have need of it any time soon. Like most people, I'd rather not be hurt any time soon."

around ADI, sort of

[lowficharm]

Martin didn't mean to end up working in Administration. He meant to stick with Jon in Research, but then many of the native workers figured out he knew how to work a filing system and use Google and before he knew it he was sort of roped into doing both. It's not unlike the work he did in the library before he was poached for the Archives, and it's been kind of nice to just have some normal office time in his day-to-day.

Naturally, this means he hasn't gotten the memo about anyone new working in the department until he wanders in halfway through the day with a couple of books from Research, sees Elias across the room, and proceeds to drop all of them loudly on the floor.

Normally Martin is not the kind of guy to make a scene. In fact, this situation will be mortifying in retrospect. But not right now, as he stares directly ahead with the look of someone caught between shock and finding the nearest knife. Finally, though, he speaks.

"Y... You. When-- when did you get here."

Re: around ADI, sort of

[hellojon]

Elias is sitting at one of the desks, typing something up, very much acting like he's been here for ages. When he hears something drop, he looks up-

-oh. How wonderful.

"Hello Martin," he says, with a little nod. "It's a pleasure to see you as well."

There's a moments pause before Elias decides might as well go for the jugular. "I am sorry to hear that Jon isn't around any more. I would have preferred to catch up with the both of you."

Nowhere in there did he actually answer Martin's question.

[lowficharm]

Oh. Oh, Elias. You cannot comprehend the amount of stress Martin is under at this exact moment and has been since Jon's disappearence. He is a powder keg and you have lit a molotov cocktail. Literally all rational thought flies somewhere into the sun, and he decides he is no longer doing this, effective immediately.

To that end, he leaves the books on the floor, walks right over, and grabs Elias by his lapels to drag him out of the chair.

"Don't you dare! Don't you even dare walk in here like-- like it's nothing!" Oh, he wants to hit him, he wants to hit him so bad he's almost shaking. "What did you do with him! Tell me where he is!"

[hellojon]

Elias stumbles forward, dragged out of the chair, letting himself get manhandled. Honestly, the worse Martin looks, the more he's fine with that. Needless to say, this display of fire, of enthusiasm and anger is unexpected. But then again, he knows he has a habit of underestimating Martin.

"Martin, be sensible. Why would I want Jon anywhere that isn't here?"

By his side. His to shape. After all, he might have another ritual to cast - he so missed the pleasantries of the apocalypse.

Around ADI

[failedpromise]

"Was it my looks that tipped you off?" A strange seeming reply, perhaps, if one only glanced at her, but a few moments of closer examination would reveal that Cortana is a robot, albeit a very human one.

She smiles at the stranger, blissfully unaware of his identity or, well, anything about him. "New arrival?"

Re: Around ADI

[hellojon]

"New enough," Elias shrugs. "Elias Bouchard. Pleasure to meet you."

And he offers her his hand to shake, small little smirk of a smile on his face all the time.

[failedpromise]

"Cortana. It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Elias."

She takes his hand, smiling. Her skin feels soft, with the correct texture and silicon padding in all the right places to mimic the shape and feel of a real human hand, but it's just a bit cooler than would be considered typical. Her body temperature fluctuates according to activity, and she hasn't done anything particularly strenuous yet today.

[hellojon]

As he feels her almost-skin and takes note of her almost-temperature, Elias can't help but think that the Stranger would have a field day with this one. If Nikola or any of her irritants were to arrive here, he'd offer them Cortana as a peace offering.

"Have you been here long? I've always found that the older arrivals, but not the oldest, are helpful in getting someone acclimated."

[rainestorms]

"Sorry, Eda. I knew you were taking a nap but.." Their tone matched the glance they gave her as they watched the door.

Raine does genuinely feel bad about waking Eda. They knew every small moment of peace for her was invaluable all things considered, and more selfishly they'd hoped they could partake in napping with her. Ever since they'd had their talk about their relationship, Raine was a regular resident of the nest.

They relaxed more as Eda opened the door and immediately hit Elias with I don't owe taxes in this dimension. They even crack a little smile while they're still out of view.

Raine tried to move back to where they could see Elias, mostly because they wanted to keep an eye on him still. They did their best to just simply look nonchalant, without the usual undertone of constantly being a word away from flirting with Eda. Raine stayed quiet, and let Eda do what she pleased. It was fun to watch her be difficult anyways, and watching they were.